The biggest price increase was 26.3 percent in Contra Costa County — to $322,000 — while the highest price remained in San Francisco itself at $728,000, up 13 percent. Santa Clara County had the most sales, 1,707, up 15.5 percent from a year earlier.

The six-county Southern California region, including San Diego, was up 16.7 percent or $46,000 in prices — going from $275,000 to $321,000 over the same period. Sales rose 14.2 percent to 19,285 transactions.

San Bernardino County had the biggest price increase, up 17.7 percent to $183,000 and Los Angeles had the most sales, 6,637, up 13.3 percent.

San Diego County, as previously reported, saw prices rise 13.7 percent year-over-year to $358,000 and sales up 22.4 percent to 3,371.

DataQuick said the Bay Area’s report demonstrated a continued “march toward normalcy,” with its strong sales and price rise a sign of increased demand.

“One of the variables that could really impact the market would be supply — how many homes are put up for sale,” said DataQuick President John Walsh. “With the mismatch between supply and demand, there’s upward pressure on prices.”

The sale of formerly foreclosed properties was down from October and November 2011 in both regions. However, the north had a lower rate of 11.5 percent, compared with 15.3 percent in the south.

Short sales — homes sold for less than the outstanding mortgage balance — represented 23 percent in the north, 26.6 percent in the south.